Sally Field, an Academy, Emmy, and Golden Globe-winning actress, has captivated audiences for decades with her unforgettable roles in films and TV shows like Forrest Gump, Brothers and Sisters, Lincoln, and Steel Magnolias. At 76, Field reflects not only on her storied career but also on the personal challenges that have shaped her life. Her 2018 memoir, In Pieces, offered an unflinching look at her experiences, including sexual abuse by her stepfather and struggles with depression, self-doubt, and loneliness.
The Early Years
Born on November 6, 1946, in Pasadena, California, Sally Field grew up in a family touched by show business. Her mother, Margaret Field, was an actress, while her father, Richard Dryden Field, worked as a salesman. After her parents divorced, her mother married actor and stuntman Jock Mahoney. Sally, her brother Richard, and their half-sister, Princess O’Mahoney, lived in a complex household dynamic.
Field’s career began in 1965 with the titular role in the sitcom Gidget. Though the series was canceled after one season, it marked the start of a long and prolific career. She gained greater visibility starring in The Flying Nun, which ran for three seasons. Field later admitted she struggled during this time, battling depression while navigating a role she disliked. “I just had to put my head down and go to work and do the very best job I could,” she recalled.
Field’s big-screen debut came in 1967 with The Way West. A decade later, her role in Smokey and the Bandit alongside Burt Reynolds catapulted her to stardom. The 1979 drama Norma Rae earned her first Academy Award, followed by a second Oscar for Places in the Heart in 1984. Field’s portrayal of the loving yet strong-willed mother in 1994’s Forrest Gump, a film that won six Oscars, remains one of her most iconic performances.
A Complicated Personal Life
Sally Field’s personal life has been as complex as her career. She married Steven Craig in 1968, and the couple had two sons, Peter and Eli, before divorcing in 1975. Her second marriage to Alan Greisman in 1984 produced a son, Samuel, but ended in 1994.
Field’s romantic relationship with Burt Reynolds, which lasted from 1976 to 1980, was tumultuous. In her memoir, she described Reynolds as controlling and manipulative, revealing how he convinced her to skip the Emmy ceremony where she won for Sybil. The two hadn’t spoken for 30 years before Reynolds’ death in 2018.
In In Pieces, Field also opened up about the abuse she endured from her stepfather, Jock Mahoney, during her teenage years. Her mother, she later discovered, had known about the abuse but chose to believe Mahoney’s false claims that it happened only once while he was drunk. Writing the memoir, Field explained, was her way of understanding her mother and ultimately finding forgiveness. “It was the only way I was going to find the pieces of my mother that I couldn’t put together,” she shared.
A Lasting Legacy
Today, Sally Field treasures time spent with her grandchildren, often playing video games with them in the same room where she keeps her Oscars and Emmys. Despite her illustrious career, Field shows no signs of slowing down. Her recent film Spoiler Alert and her role in the 2023 release 80 for Brady are testaments to her enduring passion for storytelling.
Director Steven Spielberg, who worked with Field on Lincoln, praised her legacy: “As an actor, she dared this town to typecast her, and then simply broke through every dogmatic barrier to find her own way — not to stardom… but to great roles in great films and television. Through her consistently good taste and feisty persistence, she has survived our ever-changing culture, stood the test of time, and earned this singular place in history.”
Sally Field’s journey is a testament to resilience, talent, and the power of authenticity, leaving an indelible mark on both Hollywood and the hearts of her audience.
15 Strong Women Break Stereotypes About How the Body “Should” Look
There are women out there who are challenging societal norms and breaking free from the constraints of what the media tells us we “should” look like. These 15 women are not just strong physically, but also mentally and emotionally as they pave the way for body positivity and self-love. Their stories are inspiring, empowering, and proof that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the human body.
1. “To trim or not to trim…. That is the question…”
2. “Call me Ariel and hand me a Dinglehopper because I’m a mermaid.”
3. “I’ve struggled with body image my whole life, but I’m realizing I kind of look like those statues of Ancient Greek women.”
4. “I was always worried about my big stomach in jumpsuits, but I finally figured out that I look good.”
5. All bodies are beautiful, including everything that makes you feel comfortable.
6. At the end of the day what’s important is that you feel great in your body.
7. “Only 4 more days till we meet the trio! So itchy!”
8. “I’m beautiful and I love my body!”
9. “This is a reminder to you all that you can have cellulite and spider veins and still be hot!”
10. “I ordered this corset top for my wedding this summer. I’ll definitely be rocking the hairy pits for the ceremony/reception.”
11. “Finally getting happy with my body.”
12. “Love my dress, learning to also love my body.”
13. Lizzo explains: “I love normalizing my black elbows. I think it’s beautiful.”
14. Tyra Banks is happy with her body: “My body is fuller. And so is my mind.”
15. “You are more than your body, and you get to decide what beauty is,” model Iskra Lawrence believes.
Check out these articles too, to get your daily dose of inspiration:
- 11 Famous Models Who Aren’t Afraid to Show Their Unfiltered Side
- Why Body Positivity Doesn’t Actually Promote Obesity
- 24 People Who Changed Their Hairstyle and Jazzed Up Their Life
- 21 People Who Changed Themselves Without Plastic Surgery
- 20+ People Who Changed Their Look So Dramatically, Even Their Relatives Didn’t Recognize Them
Preview photo credit tyrabanks / Instagram
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